Navarr hearth magic

Blood is a powerful Hearth Magic in Navarr Steadings and Stridings. An alliance may be bound by signing in the blood of the participants, a blade fresh from the forge can be quenched in blood. Drops of blood may be added to the cup of a binding toast of friendship. A pattern of blood may be marked across a doorway, to keep the darkness from the threshold. There is power in these rites only as long as the blood’s source lives.

Tattoos and brands are also powerful, they add great weight and power to sworn oaths and rituals of loyalty and binding. Many Navarr choose to cement vows and solemn undertakings with a tattoo or a brand hoping to draw on the power of the mark to keep them true to their pledge. A prominent mark that can be clearly seen is more powerful than a similar mark hidden on the body.

There is a tradition that Navarri structures are decorated with live branches or carved wooden lintels around entrances to their dwellings. It's no longer clear whether this was a warding against some sort of spirit, but the Navarri are too practical to believe it would hold physical creatures at bay. Still, it's a tradition which is maintained, for decoration if nothing else, and has spread as a custom into other nations - a Navarri-carved door-ward is a prized item.

Liaven

The Egregore of the Navarri is Liaven. It always appears dressed as a Vate, reflecting the role of the Vate as the servants of the Nation. Liaven changes with the seasons; young in the Spring and decrepit in the Winter. In the winter Liaven is hunted down and ceremonially slain by the Thornborn, so in the spring it can be born again. Regardless of the season, Liaven is optimistic and amicable and relishes in tales of how the Navarri have added to the Great Dance.